UMGC PSYC 335 THEORIES OF PERSONALITY
MIDTERM Short-Answer Exam 250 Points
Overview: This open-book midterm examination assesses your understanding and mastery of the theories and principles of
personality introduced in the first four weeks of the term. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your learning. It consists of
5 short-answer questions that follow the same requirements as your discussions. You may only use your Allen (2016)
textbook or required session readings for this assignment. Responses based on outside sources cannot earn credit. Page
numbers are required for Allen (2016) and all material must be in your own words.
Instructions: Answer each of the following 5 questions (50 points each) using these guidelines. Be sure to answer all parts of
a given question. All source material must be cited to earn credit.
Grading: Determined by the rubric
• Use question as a header for your response; address each element of the question.
• Course textbook (Allen, 2016) and weekly class readings are required sources for questions.
� Response elements based on outside readings cannot earn credit – Material not in the student’s own words will
not earn credit.
� You may not consult with another person in developing your responses nor use AI tools
� Direct quotes may not be used; no credit awarded for response element in which used; material not in the
student’s own words will not earn credit.
� In-text citations with page numbers are required with page numbers for Allen text
� Turnitin is used to review papers – please review/scan results before final submission; you may want to rewrite
parts and resubmit.
� Exam must be submitted by DUE Date on syllabus -accepted up to 3 days beyond due date @ -5 pts/day
Short Answer Questions
1. Testing and assessment in personality are foundational to exploring individual differences.
Review Allen’s (2016) graphic personality profile of “Oprah” in chapter 1. Interpret the profile in your
own words. How would you describe 3 aspects of her personality? What points around personality
measurement and a definition of personality is the author trying to make with this example? Be
specific.
(50 points)
2. Allen (2016) maintains that many principles of Freud’s theory have been routinely rejected by modern
psychologists. In your author’s view, at least 3 remain highly influential in this modern age. Identify
those 3 principles and discuss the importance of each. Be specific. What is meant by Adler’s
“overcoming inferiority”? Provide an example of how you have been motivated to overcome a
perceived “inferiority”. How was this accomplished? Do you accept Adler’s principle of striving to
remediate perceived deficiencies as a driver of behavior? Explain your response fully. (50 points)
3. Erikson made improvements in Freud’s original theory as explained by Allen (2016). Read/Review
the stages in his model as discussed in Allen (2016). Now, reflect on a significant period in your life
during which you faced a significant challenge/crisis. Identify the challenge and specific stage by
formal name in which it occurred. Discuss the crisis confronted and the resolution. According to
Erikson, what strength was gained by meeting and resolving the crisis? How, and in what ways, is your
strength exhibited today as part of your personality? Please explain your response fully. (DO NOT LIST
Erikson’s 8 stages in your response.) (50 points)
4. Maslow and Rogers both come out of a humanistic tradition when it comes to the study of
personality and the person according to Allen (2016). Discuss how each of these theorists’ models
explains how an individual achieves their “full potential” as a person. Explain fully. Considering the
principles of attachment raised in the Thompson (2021) reading, how might problems in attachment
prevent a person from achieving their full potential as an adult? What kinds of problems would you
expect to see? Explain. (50 points)
5. Across the chapters for the first four weeks, Allen (2016) has noted how a theorist’s life and
experiences help to shape the person’s theory. Select one theorist of interest and note how the
person’s life experiences have influenced the formulation of their model. Be specific drawing
examples from Allen (2016) as you discuss your response. Be sure to directly connect life experiences
with specific theory principles. (50 points)
